Combined light and firearm



July 10, 1923. 1.461.600

s. P. COTTRELL COMBINED LIGHT AND FIREARM Filed July s. 1922 1 1 .1.

Patented July 10, 1923.

SYLVESTER P. COTTRELL,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

COMBINED LIGHT AND FIREARM.

Application fiid m a,

To all whom it may coacern:

Be it known that I, SYLVESTER P. Co'r- TRELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Combined Lights and Firearms, of which the following is a specification.

. This invention relates to a combined flash light and firearm and has the object to produce a device of this character which may be used equally effective for lighting or shooting in a convenient and natural man ner, which is simple, compact and durable in construction and which can be manufac tured at low cost. I

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a combined light and firearm embodying m invention. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same taken in the plane of the trigger. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on ,line 33, Fig. 2. Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4- -4, Fig. 2. Figure 5 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 2, but

showing the parts in a different position.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectiontaken on line 6-6, Fig. 5. Figure 7 is a transverse section taken on line 7-7, Fig. 2. Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, on

an enlarged scale, of the cartridge cylinder and the mechanism for rotating the same. Figure 9 is a cross section on line 9-9, Fig.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

10 represents the main or body section of the casing which encloses the working parts of the light and firearm and which in the present instance is made of metal and of tubular form. On the front end of this body is mounted an electric incandescent lam 11 which is insulated from the -body an other metal parts and which is provided with a central contact 12and a side contact screw 13 at its inner end which .form the terminals of the filament of the lamp. The side contact screw engages with a metal socket 14 mounted on the inner part of the reflector 15. In front of the lamp is arranged a lens 16 which is of usual" construction to direct the light issuing from the lamp. Within the rear part 1922. Serial No. 573,676.

of the casing body is arranged the battery 17 which supplies the current for the lamp, the sides of which are insulated from this casing while the terminal 18 at the rear end thereof is electrically connected with the casing by .a spring 19 interposed between this terminal and a metal cap 20 detachably connected with the rear end of the casing body and the terminal 21 at the front of the battery is electrically connected with the central contact of the lamp by a con-' ductor having a longitudinal bar 22 secured to the'inner side of the front part of the casing body and having an inwardly projecting arm 23 at its fron end which engages with the central lamp contact and an inwardly projecting arm 24 at its rear end which engages with the front terminal of the battery.

For the purpose of opening and closing the circuit containing the lamp and battery,

a switch is provided which in its preferred form comprises a longitudinallyslidable bar 25 guided on the inner side of the front part of the casing body and provided at its rear end with a button or finger piece 26, extending to the exterior of the casing body and having an inwardly projectin finger 27 at its front end which is adapted to engage a contact 28 on the socket 14.

-Upon moving the switch backwardly into the position shown by full lines in Fig. 4, the circuit is open but when moving this switch forwardly to the position shown by dotted lines in the same figure, the circuit of the lamp and battery is closed and the lamp is lighted.

The front and rear contact arms 23, 24 are spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the casing body to form a chamber '29 in which part of the mechanism of the firearm is arranged, the chamber being transversely in line with openings 30 and 31 in the upper and lower sides of the casing dy. p

The mechanism of the firearm associated with this light is constructed as follows:

32 represents a frame arranged within the chamber 29 and secured to the ad acent part of the casing body in any suitable manner. Journaled within this frame by means of 'a pivot 33 is a cartridge cylinder 34 which has its axis arranged lengthwise of the casing body so that the same pro ects through the opening 30 thereof and is partthe chambers 35 and the same are fired whenin line with the barrel b a firing pin 38 which is arranged on the ront end of a bar shaped hammer 60 which slides lengthwise in a guideway 39 arranged lengthwise on the exterior of the casing body in rear of the opening 30. When free, this hammer and firing pin are moved forwardly by the action of a spring 40 which is preferably seated at its front end in a recess 41 in the rear end of the hammer while its rear end surrounds a retaining pin 80 arranged on the rear end of the guidewayBS). The backward movement of the hammer is produced by a sear 43, 47 pivoted by a pin 42 on the frame in rear of the cylinder and adapted to engage its upper arm 43 with a forwardly facing cocking pawl 44 on the side of the hammer, and a trigger pivoted by a pin 45 on the lower part of the frame and adapted to engage its upper arm 46 with the lower arm 47 of the sear. The cooking pawl 44 is yieldingly held in a position in which the same projects laterally from the hammer and'in the path of the sear by a spring 48 interposed between the pawl and the hammer, the lateral movement of this pawl under the action of this spring being limited by the heel 49 of the pawl, engaging the adjacent part of the hammer and forming a -stop for this purpose, as shown in Figs. 3

and 6. The scar is yieldingly turned so that its upper arm is moved forwardly and its lower arm rearwardly by a spring 50 surrounding a retaining pin 51 on the lower arm of the sear and interposed between this arm and the adjacent part of the frame, as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. Upon turning the trigger so that its upper arm 46 moves forwardly in engagement with the lower arm 47 of the sear, the upper arm 43 of the latter will move backwardly in engagement with the front end of the cooking pawl 44 and thus retract or cook the hammer. This backward movement of the sear and hammer continues untilthe upper. arm of the sear reaches the lower edge of the cooking pawl, as shown in Fig. 5, after which a continued backward movement of the upper arm of the sear causes the latter to pass below this pawl and thus free the hammer, whereupon the latter will be quickly impe'lled forwardly under the action of the .ammer spring 40 and caused to strike with its firing pin against the cartridge and explode the same, so that its charge passes forwardly through the barrel. During the subsequent forward movement ofthe upper arm of the sear, the same trips past the cooking pawl which latter recedes for this firearm and also permit of rendering thedevice more compact when not used as a firearm, the lower arm of the trigger is made in two sections 52, 53, the inner section 52 of which is formed integrally with the upper arm 46 while the outer section 53 which forms a finger piece is pivoted to the inner section by a pin 54. When not in use as afirearm, the finger piece may be folded forwardly and inwardly so as to lie close to the frame and easing body, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. but when it is desired to use the firearm, the finger piece of the trigger is turned backwardly and outwardly so that the same projects laterally from the frame and easing body, as shown by full lines in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The movement of the trigger finger piece in this direction is limited by a shoulder or heel 55 on the inner part of the finger piece engaging with a shoulder 56 on ner section of the lower trigger arm.

The trigger finger piece is'preferably held yieldingly ineither of these positions by a detent spring 57 secured to the arm section 52 and adapted to engage either with the inner side of a locking lug 58 on the heel of the trigger finger piece for holding the latter in a folded position, or to engage by means of anotch 59 in said spring over said lug, as shown in Figs-2 and 5, for

holding said finger yieldingly in its unfolded position.

Means are provided for automatically advancing the cartridge cylinder one step at a time during each cocking and firing operation for the purpose of bringing the cartridge chambers successively in line with the firing hammer and barrel, preparatory to releasing the hammer and letting the same fly toward the cartridge in the respective chamber of the cylinder. The preferred means for this purpose shown in the drawings, comprise a feed plate 6L pivoted at its lower end by a pivot 62 to the front side of the lower sear arm, and provided in its upper edge with a notch 63 which receives the pivot of the cartridge cylinder and is guided thereby in its vertical movements relatively thereto, and a. spring feed pawl 64 secured to the front side of said feed plate on one side of said pivot and engaging with one side of an annular ratchet rim or face 65 on the rear end of the cartridge cylinder. -Upon pulling the adjacent part of the inducing an alarm or affording protection.

ranged in the rear part of the the trigger and turning the sear, the feed plate slides upwardly along the inner side of the frame which faces the rear end of the cylinder and the feed pawl thereof engages the adjacent tooth of the. ratchet rim and turns the same one space so as to'bring another cartridge chamber in line with the barrel and hammer preparatory to firing the cartridge which is in place when the hammer is let go. As the sear again turns in the opposite direction, the feed plate descends and the feed pawl moves downwardly in position to engage the next tooth of the ratchet IIIIl.

In order to enclose the outer part of the cartridge cylinder, the hammer and adjacent parts, a cover is provided which preferably comprises a rear section 66 extending over the rear part of the hammer and its guideway and secured to the casing body, and a front section 67 pivotally connected by a hinge 68 with the rear cover section and adapted to swing over the cartridge cylinder and adjacent parts of the gun lock and adapted to be held in place by frictional engagement with the frame or by any other suitable means.

Means are provided for preventing the cartridge cylinder from overrunning when the same isturned rapidly and thereby ensure retaining the cartridge chambers in line with the firing hammer and the barrel. The

preferred means for this purpose shown in.

the drawings comprise a plurality of recesses '69 arranged in an annular row on the periphery of the cartridge cylinder and a ballshaped detent pawl 70 arranged in a socket 71 on the adjacent part of the frame and held yieldingly by a spring 72 in engage- I ment with one or another of said recesses.

.When used merely for lighting purposes, this device as a whole resembles an ordinary flash-light and is not much larger in its general dimension while *at the same time containing all the essential elements of a revolver which may be fired for giving an alarm or for defense purposes in a manner closely resembling the operation of an ordinary revolv er. This device therefore combines in a simple and compact form, convenient means for producing illumination when desired and also an effective means for pro- I claim as my invention: 0 1. A combined light and firearm comprising an enclosing casing, a lamp arranged in the front part of said casing, a battery arcartridge cylinder arranged in the casing between said lamp and said battery.

2. A combined light and firearm comprising an enclosing casing, a lamp arranged in the frontpar't of said casing, a battery arranged in the rear part [of the casing, a cartridge cylinder arranged in the casing becasing, and atween said lamp and said battery, and a connection between one terminal of said battery and one terminal of said lamp extending around said cartridge cylinder.

3. A combined light and firearm comprising an enclosing casing, a lamp arranged in the front part of said casing, a battery arranged in the rear part of the casing, a cartridge cylinder arranged in the casing between said lamp and said battery, a connection between one terminal of said battery and one terminal of said lamp extending around said firearm mechanism, and a switch for connecting the op osite terminals of said lamp and battery an operable from the exterior of said casing.

4. A combined light and firearm comprising an enclosing casing, a lamp mounted'in the front part of said casing, a battery arranged in the rear part of said casing and separated from the lamp by an intervening space which opens through said casing on opposite sides thereof, a cartridge cylinder arranged in said space and projecting through one of said openings, means for firing the cartridges in said cylinder having a trigger projecting through the other opening of said casing.

5. A combined light and firearm comprising a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casing and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a .cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casing and having a part projecting from one side thereof, and means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder and projecting from the other side of the casing.

6. A combined light and firearm comprising a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casing and adapted to be connected with said lamp, a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mount-.

ed within said casing and having a part projectmg from one side thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder and proing a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing,

a battery mounted in said casing and adapted tobe connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casing and having a part projecting from one side thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder and pi ojecting from the other side of the casing, and a firing hammer arranged in rear of the outer part of said cylinder.

8. A combined light and firearmcomprrring a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing,

light and firearm comprising a casing,

a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casing and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casing and having a mounted on part projecting from one side thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder comprising a longitudinally-movable hammer mounted on the casing in rear of said cylinder, a spring for projecting said hammer, and means for retracting said hammer comprising a sear adapted to en gage said hammer, and a trigger engaging said sear.

l0. A combined light and firearm comprising-a casing,v a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casing.

and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivot-- ally mounted within said casingand having a part projecting from oneside thereof,

means for firing the cartridges in the cylin= der comprising a longitudinally-movable hammer mounted on the casing in rear of said cylinder, a spring for projecting said hammer, and means for retracting said hammer comprising a cocking pawl yieldingly mounted on the hammer, a pivoted sear having an upper arm adapted to engage said cockingpawl and also having a lower arm, and a p1voted trigger having an upper arm engaging the lower arm of said scar and having a lower finger operated arm.

A combined light and firearm comprising a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casin and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casing and having a part projecting from one side thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder comprising a longitudinally-movable hammer mounted on the casing in rear of said cylinder, a spring for projecting said hammer, means for retracting said hammer comprising a cocking pawl yieldingly the hammer, apivoted sear having an upper arm adapted to engage said cocking pawl and also having a lower arm,"a

pivoted trigger having an upper arm enaging the lower arm of said. sear and havmg a lower finger operated arm, and a spring operating to turn said sear in a direction in which its upper arm moves toward said cylinder. I

12. A combined light-and firearm comprising a casing, a lamp arranged in mid casing, a battery 'mounted in said casing and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casing and having a part projecting from one side thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder comprising a longitudinally movable hammer mounted on the casing in rear of said cylinder, a spring for projecting said hammer, and means for retracting said hammer comprising a cocking pawl yieldingly mounted on the hammer, sear having an upper arm adapted to engage said cocking pawl and also having a lower arm, a pivoted trigger having an upper arm engaging the lower arm of said sear and having a lower finger operated arm, and means for intermittently rotating said cylinder by motion derived from said sear.

13. A combined light and firearm comprising a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casing and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casing and having a,

part projecting from oneside thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder comprising a longitudinally movable hammer mounted on the casing in rear of said cylinder,-a spring for projecting sa hammer, and means for retracting said hammer comprising a cocking pawl yieldingly mounted on the hammer, a pivoted sear having an upper arm adapted to engage said cocking pawl and also having'a lower arm, a pivoted trigger havlng an upper arm engaging the lower arm of said sear and having a lower finger operated arm, and means for intermittently rotating said cylinder by motion derived from said sear comprising a ratchet rim arranged on said cylinder, a feed plate pivoted on the sear, and a feed pawl arranged on said feed plate and engaging said ratchet rim.

14. A. combined light and firearm comprising a casing, alamp arranged 1n said casing and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinderpivotally mounted within said casing and having a part projecting from one side thereof,-

means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder comprising a longitudinally movable hammer mounted on the casing in rear of a pivoted mounted on said casing andv a battery mounted in said casing the cylinder, a spring for projecting said hammer, and means for retracting said hammer comprisin a cocking pawl yieldingly mounted on t e hammer, a pivoted sear having an upper arm adapted to engage said cockin pawl and also having a lower arm, a pivote trigger having an upper arm engaging the lower arm of said scar and having a lower finger operated arm, and means for intermittently rotating said cylinder by motion derived from said sear comprising a ratchet rim arranged on said cylinder, a feed plate pivoted on the sear, and a feed pawl arranged on said feed plate and engaging said ratchet rim, said feed plate having a notch which receives the pivot of said cylinder.

15. A combined light and firearm comprising a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted on said casin and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casin and having a part rojecting from one si e thereof, means for ring the cartridges in the cylinder comprising a longitudinally movable hammer mounted on the casing in rear of said cylinder, a spring for projecting said ham.-

' inner section,

mer, and means for retracting said hammer comprising a cocking pawl yieldingly mounted on the hammer, a pivoted sear having an upper arm adapted to engage said cocking pawl and also having a,lowe1 arm, a pivoted trigger havin an upper arm engaging the lower arm 0 said sear and having a lower finger operated arm, said finger operated arm comprising an inner section and an outer section pivoted to the inner section.

16. A combined light and firearrm comprising a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casing and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casing and having a part projecting from one side thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder com prising a longitudinally movable hammer mounted on the casing in rear of said cylinder, a spring for projecting said hammer, and means for retracting said hammer comprising, a cocking pawl yieldingly mounted on the hammer, a pivoted sear having an upper arm adapted to engage said cocking pawl and also having a lower arm, a pivoted trigger having an upper arm engaging the lower arm of said sear and having a lower finger operated arm comprising aninner section and an outer section pivoted to the means for intermittently rotating said. cylinder by motion derived from said sear comprising a ratchet rim arranged on said cylinder, a feed plate pivoted on ,mounted on the casing g on the hammer, a p'ivotedsear havin the scar, and a feed pawl arranged on said feed plate and engaging said ratchet rim, and stop means for limiting the rearward motion of said outer section relative to said inner section.

17. A combined light and firearm comprising a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casing and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casing and having a part projecting from one side thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder comprising a longitudinally movable hammer in rear of said cylinder, a spring for projecting said hammer, and means for retracting said hammer comprising a cocking pawl yieldingly mounted an upper arm adapted to engage said coc ing pawl and also having a lower arm, a pivoted trigger having an upper arm engaging the lower arm of said sear and having a lower finger operating arm comprising an inner section and an outer section pivoted to the inner section, means for intermittently rotating said cylinder by motion derived from said sear comprising a ratchet rim arranged on said cylinder, a feed plate pivoted on the scar, and a feed pawl arranged on said feed plate and engaging said ratchet rim, stop means for limiting the rearward motion ofsaid outer section relative to said inner section, and means for yieldingly hold ing said outer section either in its folded or unfolded position.

18. A combined light and firearm comprising a casing, a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casing and adapted to be connected with said lamp, and a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge 0 linder pivotally mounted within said casing-and having a part projecting from one side thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder comprising a longitudinally movable hammer mounted on the casing in rear of said cylinder, a spring for projecting said hammer, and means for retracting said hammer comprising a cocking pawl yieldingly mounted on the hammer, a pivoted sear having an upper arm adapted to engage said cocking pawl and also having a lower arm, a pivoted trigger having an upper arm engaging the lower arm of said scar and having a lower finger operated arm comprising an inner section and an outer section pivoted to the inner section, means for intermittently rotating said cylinder by motion derived from said sear comprising a ratchet rim arranged on said cylinder, a feed plate pivoted on the sear, and a feed pawl arranged on said feed plate and engaging said ratchet rim, stop means for limiting the rearward vmotion of tion,

said outer section relative to said inner secand means for yieldingly holding said outer section either in its folded or unfolded position consisting of a big arranged on said outer section, and a spring arranged on said inner section and adapted to engage behind said lug for holding said outer section in its folded position and provided with a notch adapted to receive said'lug for holding said outer section in its unfo-lded'position.

19. A combined light and firearm comprisinga casing, a lamp arranged in said casing, a battery mounted in said casing andv adapted to be connected with said lamp, and

a firearm mounted on said casing and comprising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mount ed within said casing and having a part projecting from one side thereof, means for firing the cartridges in the cylinder, and

firing the cartridges in means for retarding the rotary movement of pressed means for retarding the rotary movement- .a firearm mounted on said casing and comrising a cartridge cylinder pivotally mounted within said casing and having a part pro jecting from one side thereof, means for the cylinder, and

said cylinder comprising a plurality of recesses arranged in an annular row on the periphery of said cylinder, and a spring ball mounted on the casin and engaging with one or another of sari recesses.

SYLVESTERP. COTTRELL. 

